Court Remands Sowore in Kuje Prison, Dismisses Recusal Request

By: Zagazola Makama

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the remand of publisher and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of an application seeking a stay of execution of an earlier court order revoking his bail.

The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, also dismissed an application by Sowore seeking his recusal from the case over allegations of bias.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar directed that the defendant remain in custody pending the hearing and determination of a motion for stay filed by his new counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until June 24 for hearing of the application.

The development follows the judge’s June 16 decision revoking Sowore’s bail and issuing a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court for the continuation of his trial. The court held that the defendant’s absence was unjustified and granted the prosecution’s application for the revocation of his bail.

Sowore is facing charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) in a case linked to allegations arising from social media publications. The Federal High Court had previously ruled that he had a case to answer and ordered him to open his defence.

Monday’s proceedings focused on the defendant’s application seeking the judge’s withdrawal from the case and the request for a stay of the orders revoking his bail.

The matter is expected to resume on June 24.